Estate Argyros French Oak Fermented Assyrtiko 2015
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Robert
Parker
Product Details
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Somm Note
Winemaker Notes
The high natural acidity of the grapes tempers the oak influence, creating a harmoniousbalance of lively minerality and citrus fruit with toasty vanilla, and nut flavors.
Professional Ratings
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Robert Parker's Wine Advocate
This bottling comes from the winery's oldest parcels in Episkopi, with an average age of over 200 years (ranging 150 to 300 years), the winery says. This is shockingly elegant and fresh, considering it is oaked, even if the oak is modest on paper. It is always a bit understated. It is also bright and lively, lingering beautifully on the finish. It doesn't seem to have big concentration or power, but it never disappears. This is a perfect food wine, with enough stuffing to hold up to food, while never overwhelming it
Founded in 1903, the Argyros Estate is located on the island of Santorini, famed for its spiraling vines and white washed churches. In 1950, the Argyros vineyards were passed down to the founder’s son, who tripled the estate from 5 to 15 acres. Yiannis Argyros, the third-generation owner of the estate who took over in 1974, began looking beyond the local market for his wines. The inorganic soil of the island of Santorini is naturally immune to Phylloxera and many other vineyard pests, reducing the need for synthetic herbicides & pesticides. Estate Argyros practices sustainable viticulture, using composted grape must as fertilizer, and plowing the vineyards with mules.
The estate vineyards are located primarily in Episkopi and Pyrgos, which are prime locations for Assyrtiko. The ungrafted vines range in age from 30 to over 150 years, and are trained into basket-shaped bowls, a traditional technique called ""kouloura"". Today, Mathew Argyros, the fourth generation of family winemakers, continues his father's legacy by making legendary wines from Assyrtiko and other indigenous Santorinian varietals, using traditional techniques.
A crisp white variety full of zippy acidity, Assyrtiko comes from the volcanic Greek island of Santorini but is grown increasingly wide throughout the country today. Assyrtiko’s popularity isn’t hard to explain: it retains its acid and mineral profile in a hot climate, stands alone or blends well with other grapes and can also withstand some age. Somm Secret—On the fairly barren, windswept Mediterranean island of Santorini, Assyrtiko vines must be cultivated in low baskets, pinned to the ground. The shape serves to preserve moisture and protect the growing grapes in its interior.
